Auli Ski Resort

• India's Premier Skiing & Snowboarding Destination: During the winter months from late December to March, Auli offers the finest skiing conditions in South Asia. With gentle nursery slopes for first-timers and challenging, steep gradients for seasoned pros, it is the home of the National Winter Games and certified GMVN training courses.
• Unrivalled 180-Degree Himalayan Vistas: Auli offers one of the most accessible front-row viewpoints to gaze upon Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dunagiri, and Trishul. At dawn and dusk, the snow-covered peaks ignite in breathtaking shades of rose, gold, and burning amber (Alpenglow).
• The Iconic Joshimath-Auli Ropeway: Gliding 4.15 kilometres across deep ravines and dense oak forests from Joshimath (1,900 m) to Auli (3,010 m) in a glass-walled cable car is an unforgettable experience. The 22-minute ride scales 1,110 metres of vertical altitude, offering aerial views of mountain hamlets, terraced fields, and snowdrifts.
• The Highest Artificial Snow Lake in the World: Engineered by the government to power high-pressure snow-making guns, this pristine high-altitude reservoir sits at 3,000 metres. Surrounded by pine-clad slopes, the crystal-clear waters create a flawless, postcard-perfect reflection of Nanda Devi.
• Year-Round Trekking & Bugyal Hikes: Outside the ski season, Auli is an exceptional base for trekking. Gentle hiking paths lead through silver birch woods to the vast alpine meadows of Gorson Bugyal (3,519 m), the sacred forest pond of Chattrakund, and onward toward the legendary Kuari Pass (Curzon Trail).

Visiting Auli is a dual-season experience that changes dramatically depending on whether you visit during the snowbound winter or the green summer months.

In the Winter (December to March), Auli is transformed into a sparkling white wonderland. The air is crisp, dry, and freezing, with temperatures frequently dropping below -5°C. Arriving by cable car at Tower 10 or by 4WD vehicle along the snow-cleared road, visitors step onto deep layers of powdery snow. The slopes are alive with skiers gliding gracefully down the groomed courses, children sliding on snow sledges, and instructors guiding students on basic snowplough turns. The clatter of the chairlift and the rhythmic hum of ski groomers echo across the mountainside. The GMVN complex and private cafes serve steaming bowls of soup, hot Garhwali dal, and hot chai, while roaring wood-burning bukharis (stoves) warm the wooden interiors of alpine cottages.

In the Summer and Autumn (April to November), the snow melts away to reveal vast, undulating green meadows (bugyals) carpeted with buttercups, wild strawberries, and alpine anemones. Cattle and mountain sheep graze peacefully on the grassy ridges, tended by local Bhotiya shepherds. The weather is delightfully mild (12°C to 22°C), with gentle mountain breezes and crystalline blue skies. Walking trails weave around the perimeter of the artificial lake, where travelers stroll along paved pathways admiring the mirrored reflection of Nanda Devi. The quiet stillness of the high Himalayas settles over the landscape, making it a sanctuary for nature lovers, hikers, and landscape photographers.

Choosing the best time to visit Auli depends entirely on whether your objective is winter sports or high-altitude alpine sightseeing:

• Late December to March (Peak Winter Skiing Season): This is the prime time for snow lovers and winter sports enthusiasts. Heavy snowfall blankets the slopes in 2 to 4 feet of snow, ski lifts and chairlifts are fully operational, and GMVN runs its structured ski certificate courses. Temperatures range from -8°C at night to 5°C during the day; heavy thermal wear, waterproof ski jackets, gloves, and snow boots are essential.
• April to June (Spring & Summer - Pleasant Bugyal Season): As the snow recedes, Auli offers perfect mountain weather for families escaping the sweltering heat of the plains. Daytime temperatures hover between 12°C and 20°C. The alpine meadows are verdant and blooming, trails to Gorson Bugyal are easily navigable, and the cable car operates regularly.
• July to August (Monsoon Season - Caution Advised): While Auli's meadows become intensely green and lush during the monsoon, the long overland highway (NH 7) between Rishikesh and Joshimath is highly vulnerable to heavy landslides, rockfalls, and road closures. Thick clouds frequently shroud the mountain peaks, obstructing views.
• September to November (Autumn - Crystal-Clear Visibility): Following the retreat of the rains, autumn brings the sharpest, most transparent skies of the year. The peaks of Nanda Devi and Kamet appear razor-sharp against deep azure skies, daytime temperatures are brisk and comfortable (8°C to 16°C), and trekking trails are at their dry, stable best.

Auli is situated in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, accessed via the gateway town of Joshimath in the upper Alaknanda valley.

• From Joshimath via Ropeway (Cable Car - 4.15 km): The Joshimath-Auli Ropeway starts at the Ropeway Station in Joshimath town and climbs directly to Tower 10 at Auli Upper Slopes. Operating between 09:00 AM and 17:00 PM, the cable car takes roughly 22 minutes. In peak winter, when the mountain road is blocked by ice and snow, the ropeway is the most reliable and spectacular way to reach Auli.
• From Joshimath by Road (16 km): A winding, paved mountain road connects Joshimath to Auli resort base. In summer, the drive takes 40 to 45 minutes by taxi, private car, or shared jeep. In winter, when the upper sections become packed with snow and black ice, local 4WD vehicles (such as Mahindra Boleros equipped with tire snow chains) are required to navigate the steep ascent.
• From Rishikesh / Haridwar to Joshimath (253 km via NH 7): The journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath follows the all-weather National Highway 7 (the Char Dham Badrinath corridor), traversing the dramatic Panch Prayag river confluences: Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandaprayag, continuing past Chamoli and Pipalkoti to Joshimath. The 253-kilometre road trip takes approximately 8 to 10 hours by private taxi or state transport bus.
• Nearest Railway Station: Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK, 253 km) and Haridwar Junction (HW, 275 km), connected to major cities across India by express trains.
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED, 270 km), with daily flights connecting to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major hubs. Taxis from the airport can be hired directly to Joshimath.

Fees, visiting hours and entry rules may change. Confirm the latest details with the official operator or local authority before travelling.

• Operating Hours: The Auli alpine meadows and resort areas are open daily. Operating hours for key transport links are:
  • Joshimath-Auli Ropeway: 09:00 to 17:00 (weather permitting).
  • Auli Chairlift: 09:30 to 16:30 (operates during daytime hours).
  • Ski Slopes & Rental Outlets: 09:00 to 16:30 during the winter season.
• Admission Charges:
  • General entry to Auli Bugyal is free.
  • Joshimath-Auli Cable Car (Ropeway): Approximately ₹1,000 per person for a round-trip ticket (covering both ascent and descent).
  • Auli Chairlift Ticket: Approximately ₹300 to ₹500 per person per round trip.
• Ski Equipment & Course Tariffs:
  • Daily ski and boot rental: Approximately ₹500 to ₹1,000 per day.
  • Personal ski instructor fee: Approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per day.
  • GMVN 7-day or 14-day certified residential ski training courses: Approximately ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 per candidate, including dormitory accommodation, meals, ski gear, and professional coaching.
• Permits and Regulations: Domestic and international tourists do not require special inner-line permits to visit Auli. However, drone flying is strictly regulated across Chamoli District due to proximity to international border zones; operating drones requires advance written permission from the District Magistrate at Gopeshwar.

• Joshimath Town (16 km by road, 4 km by ropeway): The historic gateway town founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE, featuring the ancient Jyotirmath monastery, Shankaracharya Cave, the Kalpavriksha tree, and the Narsingh Temple.
• Gorson Bugyal (3 km trek): A vast, undulating high-altitude meadow situated above Auli at 3,519 metres, offering dramatic, close-up panoramas of Nanda Devi and Trishul.
• Chattrakund (4 km trek): A serene, hidden sweet-water lake nestled in the dense forest near Gorson Bugyal, revered in local folklore.
• Badrinath Temple (45 km from Joshimath): One of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage shrines, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, nestled along the Alaknanda River between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges (open May to November).
• Valley of Flowers National Park (Gateway at Govindghat, 20 km from Joshimath): A UNESCO World Heritage floral paradise featuring hundreds of endemic alpine flower species in full bloom between July and September.